Part of a hive of Africanized bees removed from a piece of Verizon fiber optic equipment in a Palm Desert, Calif., gated community Thursday. / The (Palm Springs, Calif.) Desert Sun

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- Authorities are warning people to be careful when encountering bees in the Coachella Valley after five firefighters and two women, one who suffered as much as 1,000 stings, were hurt Thursday when Africanized bees swarmed inside a gated community here.

A 71-year-old woman suffered major injuries, another woman was also hurt, and the firefighters were treated for minor injuries Thursday after they were attacked inside the Montecito golf resort community.

A private service that was called to remove the bees, officials said, believed the insects were Africanized honey bees. There were two hives, estimated to hold anywhere from 65,000 to 75,000 bees.

Officials said the bees were contained and the hives were removed Thursday night.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mark Williams told reporters the severely injured woman suffered 1,000 stings and was rushed to a local hospital and treated for shock. The woman was expected to recover.

The first attack was reported at 4:40 p.m., according to Cal Fire's website.

Williams said the severely injured woman was "covered in bees as if she was wearing a bee suit."

"Three of (the firefighters) were essentially trying to fight the bees while rescuing the woman, and they were putting her into the ambulance to get her away from the scene," Williams said.

All five firefighters were taken to Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage to be treated for bee stings to their faces and necks, he added.

Neighbors said emergency personnel arrived just in time to scoop the woman off the ground and get her into the ambulance.

A second woman was also stung, officials said, but she was able to drive herself to an area hospital. Her condition was unknown Thursday evening.